Electrically operated stop motion for looms



Dec. 7, 1954 r J.c.cAsE 2,696,225

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS Filed March 7, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 6- Case JNVEN TOR.

J. C. CASE Dec. 7, 1954 2,696,225 ELECTRICALLY O ERATED STOP MOTION- FOR LOOMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1951 INVENTOR.

BY Q.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STOP MOTION FOR L'OOMS Filed March 7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J 0 Case INVENTOR.

' BY fizmaaiih.

WWW If United States Patent ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS- J C Case, Lynn, N. C.

Application March 7, 1951, Serial No. 214,377

6 Claims. (Cl. 139-352) This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an electrically controlled stop motion for looms, and more specifically pertains to a highly efficient stop motion which may be readily attached to various forms -of conventional looms for quickly stopping the same in the event of a predetermined, undesirable variation. in the tension of the warp threads of the loom.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved construction of a stop motion which shall be capable of promptly stopping all further operation of the looms with which the device is associated whenever the tension of the warp threads is either increased or decreased to an extent which is predetermined as being indicative of a detrimental operation of the warp thread mechanism of a loom.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be quickly, easily and effectively applied to conventional types of looms.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stop motion mechanism in conformity with the foregoing objects which shall utilize the advantages of electrical control or operation in its functioning.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a stop motion device which, upon stopping a loom due to detrimental conditions of the warp thread mechanism, shall require the personal attention of the operator in order to condition the loom for the resumption of its weaving operation.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a stop motion device which may. be readily and economically applied to a plurality of loom units for simultaneously stopping the operationof the assembly of units in response to the above mentioned defect in the warp thread operation of any of the units.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, preferred embodiments of'which have been illustrated, by way of example only, in the-accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective, partially diagrammatic view of a portion of a loom showing the manner in which one embodiment of the invention is applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the actuator for the power control of a loom as shown in Figure 1, parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the mechanism of Figures 1 and 2, the same being taken from the right side of Figure 1;

Figure. 4 is an elevational-view of a portion of the actuator of Figures 1-3, thisview being taken from the left of Figure 1, and showing the latch means in its position for blocking movement of the actuator-during normal operation of the loom;

Figure 5 is a view similar to'Figure 4 but showing the position of the latch mechanism when the same has released the actuator to stop motion of the 100m upon occurrence of a defect in the warp thread operating mechanism;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, in diagrammatic form, illustrating the manner in which a modified construction of the stop motion may be applied to a pluralityof loom units for simultaneous control thereofland Figure 7 is a vertical transverse. sectional :detail view ice taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of Figure 6. g

The present application relates to similar subject matter to that set forth in my prior application, Serial No. 208,345, filed Jan. 29, 1951, for Mechanically. Actuated Stop Motion for Looms, now Patent No. 2,652,861, and of which this application is a continuation-in-part, but illustrates the utilization of electrical operating means in the actuator mechanism of said prior application together with a novel manner for applying the principles of the stop mechanism to a plurality of loom units.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is directed first to the embodiment of Figures l5 which more closely resembles the stop mechanism of my above identified copending application.

Attention is directed first to Figure 1, wherein it will be seen that the construction disclosed closely resembles that set forth in my above identified copending application, and in which the principle of operation is very similar. Thus, a pair of fulcrum or support members, one of which is shown at 10, is provided for each of the loom units and these members pivotally support one end of the warp brackets, one of which is shown at 12. The warp brackets are provided with the customary warp thread tensioning bars 14 over which the warp threads 16 are entrained as they are fed from a spool, reel, or drum 18 carried by an axle 20 which is mounted upon the fulcrum members 10. In operation of the loom, the warp threads 16 are moved from the reel 18 over one and under the other of the tensioning bars 14, and are fed in the direction of the arrow 22 to the conventional weaving elements of the loom.

The warp brackets 12 are provided with the customary bar 24 upon which are mounted, in the usual manner, detachable counterweights 26, which thus serve to pivot the warp brackets 12 and the tensioning bars 14 downwardly about their pivotal connection with the members 10, to thereby impart an adjustable tension to the warp threads 16. In accordance with the usual practice, the force applied to the brackets 12 by the counterweights'26 will be adjusted in accordance with predetermined and well understood conditions for weaving.

As in my prior application for patent, a pair of rotatable parallel rods 28 and 30 are mounted upon any convenient portion of the framework of the loom'in the same vertical plane parallel to the bar 24, and are each provided with a horizontally extending arm 32 and 34, re-

spectively. The arm 32 has at its extremity a pivoted,

forked member 36 which embraces and rests upon the upper surface of the bar 24 whereby upward movement of the bar 24, effected by upward movement of the warp brackets 12 due to a predetermined increase in the tension of the warp threads 16, will cause a counter-clockwise rotation of the bar 28 (as viewed from the right, Figure 1). Similarly, the arm 34 has at its extremity a depending hooked link member 38 which engages the under side of the bar 24 and will cause a clockwise movement of the bar 30 (as viewed from the right, Figure 1) upon lcj'lowglvard movement of the warp brackets 12 and the The bars 28 and 30, as set forth in my above identified copending application, are provided with a pair of the arms 32 and 34 for each of the loom units of a loom, one such pair of arms thus being provided for each of the pair of warp brackets 12. In addition, the bars 28 and 30 are provided with a single, vertically disposed actuating arm 40 and 42, respectively. This pair of arms extends vertically downwardly and upwardly of the rods 28 and 30. A pair of operating members 44 and 46 are terminally swivelly connected to the lower and upper ends of the arms 40 and 42, respectively. If desired, the members 44 and 46 could comprise separate connecting rods or links; but, as illustrated, may consist of a single cable whose ends are attached to the arms 40 and 42, and whose mid portion is operatively connected to the actuator unit or assembly, indicated generally by the numeral 48, and which in turn is operatively connected with the angularly disposed arm of a control lever 50 which constitutes part of a power control means fora loom.

This control lever is pivoted, as at 52, to a portion of the loom, as at 54, and is provided with a yoke or fork 56 which is adapted to engage the clutch or any other suitable means for controlling the application of power to the mechanism of the loom.

Since the principles of this invention are in no way concerned with the particular type of power applying means and power controlling means of the loom, the diagrammatic representation of Figure l is believed to be sufficient to clearly portray the manner in which the prinples of this invention are applied to conventional looms.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1-3, it will be seen that the actuator 48 comprises a supporting base 58 which may conveniently comprise an angle iron memher or the like and which is detachably mounted in any desired manner upon a rail member 60 forming a part of the framework of a loom. Secured to and rising above the base member 58, the actuator includes a pair of vertical standards 62 and 64 which may conveniently be connected at their upper ends by a longitudinally extending beam or strip 66. A horizontally disposed actuator shaft, bar or rod 68 is slidably received in horizontally aligned bores in the standards 62 and 64 for horizontal sliding movement with respect thereto. At its actuating end, the actuator bar 68 has a U-shaped yoke 70 detachably secured thereto or, if desired, permanently united therewith. This yoke is adapted to loosely receive the lever arm of the power control means 50, as illustrated in Figure 1.

A compression spring 72 encircles the actuator rod 68 from the loom and thereby stop further motion of the loom.

Thus, it will be seen that the actuator 48 is provided with means which resiliently urges the device into loom stopping position. The stop mechanism is thus normally cocked or set to cause cessation of operation of the loom, and a latch means is provided to prevent such stoppage until a predetermined variation in the tensions of the warp threads 16 causes a disengagement of the latch as set forth hereinafter.

As so far described, the principles of this mechanism are substantially the same as those set forth in my prior copending application. However, the principles of said application have been modified in the present case to admit of the use of electrical actuating means for converting motion of the connecting members 44 and 46 into latch-releasing movement.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 35, it will be apparent that the standard 62 has a latch member 76 journaled upon its exterior surface for free rotation as upon a bolt or the like 73 constituting an axle or pivot for the latch. As will be readily seen, the latch may conveniently take the form of a flat disk or plate, the lower portion of which is positioned to overlie the end or the path of movement of the horizontally reciprocable actuator bar 68. Thus, when the plate 76 is positioned to overlie the end of the latch bar, the latter is restrained against the action of the spring 72 and is thus maintained in the cocked position in which it is inelfective to actuate the power control means and stop the operation of the loom.

The latch is preferably rotatably mounted so as to be rotatably movable from a latching or blocking position of the actuator rod, as shown in Figure 4, to a released position shown in Figure 5, whereby movement of the actuator rod is permitted under the influence of the spring 72. For this purpose, the latch 76 is provided with a clearance or cut-away portion which, as illustrated, is in jacent to the actuator rod 68, so that upon rotation of the latch a sufficient clearance is provided to permit the .actuator rod 68 to cause the power control member 50 to cut off the supply of power to the loom and cause stoppage of the same.

It will be readily apparent that various forms and constructions of the latch 76 could be provided, and for the purpose of this invention it is merely essential that the latch shall be so constructed and arranged as to effect an unblocking or release of the actuator rod upon rotary movement of the latch.

As will now be readily understood from a comparison of Figures 1, 4 and 5, it will be appreciated that movement of either of the members 46 or 44 away from the actuator mechanism 48 is capable of pulling the switch handle or arm 82 of a conventional form of pull switch 84. The latter will control any suitable type of electrical actuating or control means such as a conventional electric motor 86, or, if desired, other forms of electric means such as solenoids or the like. It is understood that the motor 86, whether of the conventional rotary type or a reciprocating solenoid or the like, will be operatively connected to the latch 76 to cause rotation of the same. In the example illustrated, the armature shaft of the motor 86 is provided with a driving pinion 88 which is continu ously in mesh with a multilated gear or toothed portion 90 formed upon the periphery of the disk or plate 76, or attached to any suitable portion of the same where desired. it will thus be apparent that the arrangement is such that actuation of the motor 86 will cause the gear 88 to effect rotation of the latch disk 76 through the mutilated gear portion 90, to thereby move the latch plate from the normal latching position of Figure 4 to the actuator rod releasing position of Figure 5.

It will further be apparent that the electrical control means for the latch 76 will be energized in response to a predetermined movement either upwardly or downwardly of the warp brackets 12, since movement of the latter in either direction will cause movement of one of the members 44 and 46 with a resultant actuation of the electrical means through the switch 84.

It will be apparent from Figures 24 that the electric motor 86 may be conveniently mounted upon and carried by the standard 62 whereby the entire actuator assembly 48 may be applied to or removed as a unit from the loom framework.

In the embodiment of Figures 15, the actuator means is shown as being controlled by and operated by the warp brackets by a mechanism of the type set forth in my above identified copending application. However, the present invention visualizes the application of its principles to various forms and constructions of connecting means between the warp brackets and the electrical operating mechanism of the actuator. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the principles of the invention are applied to a plurality of loom units each including the previously mentioned fulcrum brackets or support members 14), the warp threads 16, the warp thread spools or spindles 18, the warp brackets 12, together with the tensioning bars 14, the counter weight shaft or bar 24, and the counterweights 26. However, although the same actuating means disclosed in Figure l in the assembly designated 48 is utilized, a modified construction of connecting means is provided to cause operation of the actuator means 48 in response to predetermined vertical movement of any one of the support brackets 12. Thus, the actuator control switch 84 is electrically connected by a cable 94 with the electric motor 86 for actuating the same. However, in place of the members 46 and 44, the control arm 82 of the switch 84 is connected to one end of a flexible cable 96 which extends downwardly through an eye-bolt 98 secured to a portion of the framework, and has its other end secured to another eye-bolt 100 likewise fastened to a convenient portion of the frame of the loom. The flexible cable is so positioned that the same will be disposed closely adjacent to the warp brackets 12 and the support members 10 whereby and through eyebolts 102 having adjusting nuts 104 thereon whereby they may be adjustably secured to mounting brackets 106 which are fixedly secured to the warp brackets 12 in any desired manner. It will thus be apparent that upon either upward or downward movement of the warp brackets 12 the eye-bolts 102 secured thereto will likewise have an upward or downward movement imparted thereto which will cause flexing of that portion of the cable 96 which extends between the eye-bolts 98 and 100. Thus, as shown in dotted lines, this flexing of the cable by movement of any of the warp brackets attached thereto will serve to cause movement of the switch arm 82, thereby closing the switch 84 and energizing the electric motor 86. Except for this cable actuating means, the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 thus functions similarly to that of Figures 1-5 for causing energization of the electric motor 86 and operation of the actuator mechanism 48.

It should be here noted that the construction of Figures 6 and 7 readily lends itself to ease of installation, since the cable 96 may be readily attached and adjusted for operation with any conventional loom; the eye-bolts 102 may be easily adjusted to any degree of sensitivity to movement of the warp brackets 12.

Since, from the foregoing, the construction and advantage of this device are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An electrically controlled stop motion for looms, comprising a power control means for a loom, an actuator for said power control means, means for moving said actuator into a position to efiect stopping of a loom, a latch blocking movement of said actuator into loom stopping position, electrical means controlling withdrawal of said latch from its blocking position and means responsive to predetermined variation in the tension of the warp threads for energizing said electrical means, said latch being mounted for rotary movement, said actuator including a member having reciprocating movement, said latch being movable to positions into and out of the path of movement of said member and having a cut-away portion for allowing passage of said member therethrough.

2. An electrically controlled stop motion for looms, comprising a power control means for a loom, an actuator for said power control means, means for moving said actuator into a position to effect stopping of a loom, a latch blocking movement of said actuator into loom stopping position, electrical means controlling withdrawal of said latch from its blocking position and means responsive to predetermined variation in the tension of the warp threads for energizing said electrical means, said latch having a toothed portion, said electrical means including an operating member engaging said toothed portion.

3. A stop motion for looms, comprising a power control means for a loom, an actuator for said power control means, means for moving said actuator into a position to effect stopping of a loom, a latch blocking movement of said actuator to loom stopping position, means for withdrawing said latch from its blocking position and means responsive to predetermined variation in the tension of the warp threads for energizing the latch withdrawing means, a trip cord connected to said latch, said loom having warp brackets, said trip cord being connected to said warp brackets of a plurality of loom units.

4. The combination of claim 3 including means to adjust the engagement of the warp brackets of each loom unit with said trip cord.

5. An electrically controlled stop motion for looms, comprising a power control means for a loom, an actuator for said power control means, means for moving said actuator into a position to eifect stopping of a loom, a latch blocking movement of said actuator into loom stopping position, electrical means controlling withdrawal of said latch from its blocking position and means responsive to predetermined variation in the tension of the warp threads for energizing said electrical means, said loom including warp brackets and said last means being operatively connected with and actuated by the warp brackets.

6. An electrically controlled stop motion for looms, comprising a power control means for a loom, an actuator for said power control means, means for moving said actuator into a position to effect stopping of a loom, a latch blocking movement of said actuator into loom stopping position, electrical means controlling withdrawal of said latch from its blocking position and means responsive to predetermined variation in the tension of the warp threads for energizing said electrical means, said loom including warp brackets and said last means including separate members each responsive to the upward or downward movement of the warp brackets for energizing said electrical means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 858,139 Atkins June 25, 1907 1,758,042 Hoffman May 13, 1930 2,363,996 Robb Nov. 28, 1944 2,453,145 Matweeff Nov. 9, 1948 2,652,861 Case Sept. 22, 1953 

